Unforgivable Odds

Chapter Two

Everyone stood in silence. I felt everyone staring at me. I couldn't think at all, it was like my brain had gone numb. Just the calling of my name rung in my head. It was my name that had been called. The name of sixteen year old farm boy with a loving family who'd already lost a child to the games. I couldn't put them through that again. What if I wasn't the child in the family to be entered? What if this was my legacy? The tribute's escort seemed antsy.

"Lucas Benerha? Where are you?" She exclaimed impatiently.

I took a deep breath and left the crowd. I walked slowly up to the stage. People continued to stare as I made my way to the stage. I stood beside the escort and she smiled. She grabbed the female tribute Diana and I's hands, and held them in the air.

"Our tributes from district 10!" She announced eagerly.

There was some scattered, unenthusiastic applause. With that, Diana and I were led into the justice hall. We were given rooms to say goodbye. First, my family came in. My mom hugged me tightly. "Luca, you have to win. I love you." She cried. I nodded, hugging her back. She released after a minute. My dad hugged me next. "Luca, fight your hardest. I don't want you to end up like Aria." He stated. I nodded. Daniel, Aaron and Amelia all gave me a tight hug. They all said the same things, that they loved me and that I should win. My younger siblings Jack, Nathan and Katie, who were only six, five and two, didn't understand. I hugged them tightly. They said I love you's to me. Nathan looked up at me, frowning. "I'll be happy to see you when you get back." He stated. I tried not to break down. My mom was crying even harder. "Your minutes are up, he's got two more people to see him." A peacekeeper barked and my family was led out. My stomach dropped at the thought that that would be the last time I saw them.

As I assumed, Russel and Helena were the two people. They both embraced me in a hug. "Luca, I'm so sorry that you have to do this. Win, so that you can come back home to us." Helena said. Russel never cried and at that moment, tears were dripping down his face. "Luca, you're my best friend. I believe in you. It won't be the same here without you." He stated. Helena dug something out of her pocket. It was a little bracelet. The words 'best friends' was sewed onto it. "Remember when we made these in our first year of school? I found it yesterday and thought you'd like to see it. But keep it, please." She stated tearfully, handing me the bracelet. I took it, nodding. She helped me put it on my wrist. Russel and Helena hugged me one last time before the peacekeepers said they were out of time. Helena looked at me sadly before her face went out of view. I saw her mouth something. It looked like she had said 'I love you'.

The peacekeepers ushered me down to the train. Diana was right behind me. Cameras were shoved into our faces before we were let on the train. The train car we entered made my jaw drop. It was a lavish dining car. There were white polished chairs and tables, turquoise blue couches around a glass table. A large table on one end had been blanketed with plates of food, most of which I'd never see before. There was a screen on one wall, which I assumed gave us updates on the games as we travelled to the Capitol. Diana and I sat down, still marveling at the car. Our tributes' escort sat down in front of us and our mentors followed in suit. "What an exciting games it will be. You two will love the Capitol." Our tribute escort stated. The male mentor Dakota rolled his eyes. "Ophelia, stop acting like they aren't going to likely get killed within the next couple weeks." He exclaimed. So, our tribute escort's name was Ophelia. Ophelia rolled her eyes. "Well, they might as well enjoy it while they're there." She replied. Dakota just sighed. Fauna, our female mentor, had remained quiet. There was a long silence before Ophelia spoke again.

"Anyway, we've got rooms for you two. The trip to the Capitol isn't too long. We should get there in the morning." She said.

"Uh, thanks." I replied in an unsure tone.

"Dinner will be ready in a couple hours. I suggest getting to know your mentors." Ophelia proposed before walking off.

I nodded and turned to Dakota. He gave a weak smile.

"Tough luck, huh? Two kids from the same family, exactly ten years apart." He stated.

"Yeah. Aria would've been twenty six now." I replied.

"How old are you, kid?"

"I'm sixteen, but I turn seventeen this Wednesday."

"If you tell Ophelia that, she give you a grand Capitol Birthday."

"It's a shame I won't be with my family and friends."

"I agree, kid."

We were silent for a little. I turned to see Fauna and Diana happily engaged in conversation. It was good that Diana was talking. I turned back to Dakota.

"So, any tips for the games?" I asked.

"Well, stay alive obviously. Outsmart your opponents. Don't run straight to the cornucopia. If you can, take something from the edge and hightail yourself out of there." He replied.

"They have training in the Capitol. What should I do?"

"Play to your strengths. But don't show off too much like the kids from district 1 and 2."

I nodded, giving a fake smile. I quickly dismissed myself to my room. As soon as I shut the door, I went and collapsed onto the bed, crying. I still could barely comprehend that everything was really happening. I wanted to wake up from this horrible dream. I was pretty much destined to die unless I somehow was able to outsmart tributes from districts where they'd been training for years to be in the games. I would likely never see my friends or family ever again. My little siblings would wonder where I was, not knowing that I was really gone. I felt angry. Why did the Capitol want this? No one should have to kill another person, especially a child. In my rage, I picked up a decorative vase from the nightstand and threw it against the door. It shattered into a hundred little pieces. At that moment, Ophelia opened the door to see me, teary-eyed and red with a broken vase near my feet. She looked from me to the vase before nonchalantly telling me that dinner was ready.

I quickly wiped my eyes and walked out the door, carefully avoiding the pieces of the vase on the floor. I quickly arrived in the dining car where everyone sat. I sat quietly in an open spot. Ophelia smiled before speaking. "Well, enjoy this dinner. You might not eat this well during your training." She explained. I just nodded. The dishes were brought out and I couldn't believe my eyes. Gourmet food littered the table. There were many things I hadn't even tried before. I quickly stacked my plate and began eating rather hastily. Ophelia just glared at me. "They're all like this. So few manners." I heard her say to herself. My fellow tribute Diana had also taken the same approach to the dinner.